>>said above by PBB: The fault with the source theory, which harks back to Ivor the Invincible, is that not each link in the chain is equal.
>>said above by Rlwainwright: Having worked in high-end audio for several years, I absolutely concur with Rel - the transformation of mechanical energy to electrical (cartridges) and back again (speakers) are the areas most subject to the introduction of distortion and spurious noise.
IMHO, these are some of the more intelligent things Ive read here on the subject and when PBB and Albert Porter agree on an issue its enough to get my attention! (hehehehe)
The components in the chain do not have the same function from a tech point of view. They are doing completely different things and each technology is at a different state of development. You cant even approach the subject or say something meaningful from a front-end / back-end analysis.
Inevitably a discussion that starts with terms as general as front end will end with the all encompassing and powerful audio answer: synergy. I have started to gag on the word. It generally stops the discussion just where it gets interesting. This started with me about a decade ago in office meetings. Some doe-eyed up-and-comer would say something like we should combine these departments because the combination has a real fundamental synergy. I learned to take it to mean that he/she didnt know enough to say anything in particular or he/she was smart enough not to say anything that could be pinned down. A smart move!! A real candidate for the board of directors! I think I remember the brokers describing the AOL Time Warner merger as a real synergy thing. It's like a magic incantation.
In any event, I've chosen to use the word "Robust." I always liked Juan Valdez and his robust beans and I think it is time to move on from Synergistic front-ends to Robust back-ends. Just cant stop progress.
Sincerely
I remain,
>>said above by Rlwainwright: Having worked in high-end audio for several years, I absolutely concur with Rel - the transformation of mechanical energy to electrical (cartridges) and back again (speakers) are the areas most subject to the introduction of distortion and spurious noise.
IMHO, these are some of the more intelligent things Ive read here on the subject and when PBB and Albert Porter agree on an issue its enough to get my attention! (hehehehe)
The components in the chain do not have the same function from a tech point of view. They are doing completely different things and each technology is at a different state of development. You cant even approach the subject or say something meaningful from a front-end / back-end analysis.
Inevitably a discussion that starts with terms as general as front end will end with the all encompassing and powerful audio answer: synergy. I have started to gag on the word. It generally stops the discussion just where it gets interesting. This started with me about a decade ago in office meetings. Some doe-eyed up-and-comer would say something like we should combine these departments because the combination has a real fundamental synergy. I learned to take it to mean that he/she didnt know enough to say anything in particular or he/she was smart enough not to say anything that could be pinned down. A smart move!! A real candidate for the board of directors! I think I remember the brokers describing the AOL Time Warner merger as a real synergy thing. It's like a magic incantation.
In any event, I've chosen to use the word "Robust." I always liked Juan Valdez and his robust beans and I think it is time to move on from Synergistic front-ends to Robust back-ends. Just cant stop progress.
Sincerely
I remain,